Beryl’s Blessing by Edwina Kiernan

Frederick drew a deep, troubled breath as he ascended the steps of the church.

The past week had been a whirlwind as he and his father had completed the furnishing of the new house and procured a new staff. How strange it still was to think that in only a few hours he would travel there with his new wife to begin a daunting new chapter of his life.

It does not have to be daunting, he reminded himself. Perhaps she will be a pleasant young lady.

Perhaps, someday, we might even fall in love.

Yet as he advanced toward the altar, with each step forward, the oppressive weight of guilt bore down upon his shoulders.

He didn’t deserve love.

He didn’t deserve any of this — a wife, a house.

Life.

Drawing yet another deep breath, he came to a stand at the front of the church. His elder brother, Algernon, stood beside him — distant and sullen, as always. Though their father’s fortune was hardly a substantial one, Algernon would inherit the lot. Hence, the contracted marriage for Frederick — and the dowry that accompanied it.

Frederick cast a quick glance around the place. His parents sat smiling in the front pew nearest him, and his father nodded encouragingly to him upon catching his eye.

A few strangers occupied the front pew on the other side of the aisle. Two women — one who looked incredibly sour and serious, and a woman with a smug expression who seemed to thrill with delight every time she caught anyone looking in her direction.

His new wife’s family. The thought made him stiffen as the reality of the situation flooded his mind.

He was about to unite in permanent solemnity to an absolute stranger.

Guilt clawed at his heart. The people who had perished at his hand would never experience a wedding of their own.

His fingers twitched as he felt a longing in his chest for some liquor. His mouth was dry, his pulse racing. The air in the church seemed heavy and dense.

A creak behind him made him tuck his head down, his eyes widening in fear. An instinctive reaction to potential danger — one of the many foibles he had gained from his time on the battlefield.

Frederick glanced furtively around, hoping that no one had noticed his irrational behaviour. He swiftly regained his posture as he turned to face the back of the church. The thick, wooden doors were opening, and smaller creaks escaped into the air as they continued to move in their giant arc.

The strains of stringed instruments floated through the air as Frederick trembled and blinked, still recovering from his startle. Squeezing his eyes shut, he scolded himself inwardly.

Pull yourself together, man.

Upon opening his eyes, he saw a man with a pleasant smile nod to him as he strode up the aisle. Frederick half- nodded in return before his gaze travelled to the young lady at the man’s side.

All he could see from his vantage point was one elegant hand and arm. The smiling man obscured the rest of her.

A few moments later, he caught a brief glimpse of her face, and the orangey-brown curls framing it.

His heart picked up speed. She was prettier than he’d imagined.

The man still blocked most of her from sight, but as Frederick observed them as they drew closer to him, he noticed an unsteadiness in the young lady’s gait.

Compassion squeezed his heart. She must have injured herself somehow. He hoped she hadn’t tripped on the steps outside and twisted her ankle. He had almost stumbled on them himself, and his boots were much more forgiving than the delicate slips of shoes that ladies wore.

Instantly, the sneering voice in his head mocked him. Did those people die only so that you might ponder the advantages of your boots?

Apprehension drained through him. He swallowed hard, steeling his jaw.

He wished he could turn and bolt from the church, from all the people — from the towering commitment that he was here to make.

Yet, in his heart he knew — all too well — that one cannot run from one’s own mind, nor the memories that seize it.

The smiling man stepped back a little as he and the young lady reached the place where she would become Frederick’s wife.

Finally, she stood before him, unobscured and mere inches away. Brown guarded eyes darted a glance at Frederick, then quickly returned their gaze downward.

As candlelight illuminated his bride’s hair, it looked to be the colour of bright, warm flames, with a few darker strands intertwining here and there. The blend was a stunning display.

The lady was indeed a beauty.

As the clergyman began to speak, Frederick stole another glance at his bride, guilt plucking at his mind.

How much better a husband she deserves than a man with blood on his hands.

——-

Liked this excerpt? It’s from the Amazon bestseller Beryl’s Blessing, by award-winning author Edwina Kiernan. You can grab your copy here: https://edwinakiernan.com/berylsblessing

Author Bio:

Edwina Kiernan is the Christian author of the award-winning novel, Ruby’s Redemption.

She is a committed follower of Jesus (the Living Word), and endeavours to use her pen to point others to Him. A lifelong word admirer, with Welsh and Irish heritage, she started writing stories early in childhood.

An enthusiast of classic novels and history, Edwina combines her faith, imagination and research in hope-infused tales set in times past.

When she’s not writing, Edwina loves spending time with her dashing husband and lively little son, reading and studying the Bible, getting lost in a captivating novel and drinking more types of tea than most people realize even exist.

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